Localization of the motor nerve branches and motor points of the triceps surae muscles in Korean cadavers

Objective: To identify the precise locations of the muscular branches (MBs) and motor points (MPs) of triceps surae muscles in relation to the bony landmarks. Design: Thirty-six limbs from 22 adult cadavers were anatomically dissected. The location and the number of MPs and MBs from the tibial nerve to the triceps surae muscles were defined relative to four bony landmarks. Locations of the MBs and the MPs were expressed as a percentage of the lower leg length and the percentage of the lower leg width. Results: One MB was identified from the posterior tibia] nerve to the soleus muscle, one or two branches to the medial gastrocnemius muscle, and up to four branches to the lateral gastrocnemius muscle. One to four MPs were identified in the triceps surae muscles. Conclusion: Estimation of the locations of the MBs and the MPs, when combined with our anthropometric observations, could increase the ease and accuracy with which MB or MP blocks can be applied to the triceps surae muscles.